Dr Willem Floor Knihy

A “place for the sick” (bimarestan) existed in Iran since the mid-sixth century, but these institutions rarely evolved into true hospitals, serving mainly as alms houses (dar al-shafa) for sick and poor pilgrims, often linked to mosques and religious schools (madrasehs). This situation persisted until the mid-1880s, when changes began with the establishment of dispensaries and hospitals. The key players were the Iranian government, British India and its affiliates, and American and British missionary organizations, each with distinct policy objectives. Although the first Iranian government hospitals predated those set up by missionaries, their services were limited and lacked surgical capabilities, which were a strength of foreign hospitals. These Western institutions provided better-trained medical staff, modern treatment methods, and advanced medical instruments, significantly influencing the training of Iranian physicians and nurses. They also shifted perceptions, making hospital treatment more acceptable to Iranian patients, who traditionally viewed hospitals as places to die. Despite their growing role, urban hospitals remained insufficient to address Iran’s public health needs, particularly for the rural population. Nonetheless, the dedication of hospital staff laid the foundation for Iran’s essential public health infrastructure and policies, which expanded significantly in the 1930s and 1950s. This book, alongside Will